Shine A Little Light

As I procrastinate from returning to the cold dish water to finish off the evening's dishes ... here are my reflections for the week past and all that I am grateful for.

1. I am grateful for unexpected cheques from Centrelink in the mail, the small personal crises that arise from such windfalls and the transcendence and clarity that follows.

2. I am grateful that true friendship only builds and strengthens with time and that the Universe saw to send me the abundance and love of my beautiful soul sister all those years ago.

3. I am grateful to my gorgeous partner for giving me the freedom to roam with my bestfriends this weekend and for understanding how important that time with them was. And to not begrudge me for it.

4. I am grateful that Mr D has begun to see the value and fun in chronically life - and hope that one day he can proudly admit he started writing a journal at the ripe old age of four!

5. I am grateful for not having ripped anyone's head off or said anything that I may regret in the lead up to my moon time.

6. I am grateful to have found live green smoothies and the health benefits that I am already receiving from drinking them.

7. I am grateful for all the work that we've been putting in with Reclaim and all the ground work we did last year - and celebrating the 6th day in a row of 100+ visits to the site. Now to sell some books.

8. I am grateful to the Universe for sending us the interest and support of Pinky McKay for our Reclaim Sex After Birth book.

9. I am grateful to my soul sister for staying up way to late to read my tarot cards and to give me clarity on an issue that I have been strugglingn with.

10. I am grateful that we're coming up to the dark moon again - I feel the need to clean and downsize.

11. I am grateful that I saw Tim Minchin at the Brisbane Comedy Festival on Thursday night - and that I dragged myself out despite wishing that I was going to bed. It was more than worth the trip out. And grateful to see an artist so publicly shaming the monster that first shamed him.

What are you grateful for this week?

It's been two weeks since I was last here - and even though there's lots to be a grateful for, I will try and keep the list compact.

1. I am grateful for having had four days at the Sunshine coast - time to stop, relax, build sandcastles and frollic in the surf. It also meant not having to cook dinner for three nights.

2. I am grateful for surprise lunch dates and having wonderful friends who bouy me with their enthusiasm for what is going on in my life.

3. I am grateful that Dylan is enjoying going to kindy gym and to introductory gymnastics. I continue to be amazed by his fortitude and determination.

4. I am grateful I am coming from a position of building bridges rather than burning them .. and for Dan sharing the philosophy of non-resistance.

5. I am grateful for supportive and clued in writing colleagues who were able to support me through the Facebook article debacle. Now I'm just glad for the traffic going to my blog.

6. I am grateful for free tickets - and thankful to Kerry and Kylie from Mothers Toolkit for the opportunity to go to the International Women's Day Luncheon last Friday.

7. I am grateful that networking is really just talking about yourself - and oh how I love to talk, and don't mind sharing a bit about myself either.

8. I am grateful that I still have a Facebook account.

9. I am grateful that the car is still running despite a massive oil leak. It WILL go to the car doc this week.

10. I am grateful for chances to rest in bed on the weekend - even if it comes in the guise of a headcold.

11. I am grateful for a resourceful partner who managed to find me sugarfree throat lozengers - so I could have a less sore throat without the sugar rush.

12. I am grateful for the continuing adventues of the amazing shrinking woman ... I am now 7kg lighter than I was at the beginning of the year ... and revelling in the comments from friends about the glow that I currently have.

13. I am grateful it was my turn to write some Captain Juan this week - I feel as though my fiction muscles as been atrophied of late.

What are you grateful for this week?

It's time once again to pause, reflect and give thanks on the week that was (again late!)

With things back on a slightly more even keep than the have been in the past few weeks ... I should be back on track in a fortnight to start posting these wonderful lists on a Sunday evening.

1. I am grateful for the time and space that my partner's business trips bring.

2. I am grateful that I had my mother in law here to share the job of keeping Mr D amused while his Daddy was away.

3. I am grateful for high school crushes and the interesting twists they bring to life 20 years later.

4. I am grateful that the IGA down the road opens at 6am for emergency supplies of flour.

5. I am grateful that I am still moderating my sugar in take and continuing on my path as the amazing shrinking woman.

6. I am grateful for long cool glasses of mineral water and easy conversation.

7. I am grateful the Mr D is finally settling into kindy and enjoying himself.

8. I am grateful for kindy gym.

9. I am grateful for routines that fall into place without any thought or effort.

10. I am grateful for both my writing roles at Type A Mom and Write Anything for creating some structure to my writing week.

11. I am grateful for the writing courses that the Queensland Writer's Centre puts on.

12. I am grateful to have a business partner and writing colleague in Paul Anderson, and all the wonderful gifts he brings to these collaborations ... as well as being a wonderful friend.

13. I am grateful that after all this time Chinese Whisperings is starting to move forward and gain momentum.

14. I am grateful for the gifts that the Universe lavishes me with and for the moments of synchronicity.

What are you grateful for this week?

It's time to give gratitude and thanks for the week that was (very very late I know)

1. I am grateful that I horded clothes for years and was able to donate them to the Victorian bushfire survivors. I thought that I was saving them for a rainy day - seems I was waiting for a fire storm. In doing this I was able to consolidate some of the trauma I felt from the '83 Ash Wednesday bush fires.

2. I am grateful that Dylan is back at kindy full time.

3. I am grateful that I am beginning to refill my cup again.

4. I am grateful that I have my mother-in-law staying while my beloved is away.

5. I am grateful for beer at the pub and conversations about quantum physics.

6. I am grateful that I collaborate with writers who are as crazy as I am.

7. I am grateful that I can say 'I love you' to my sister.

What are you grateful for this week?

It's taken me two days to work up to writing this post. In the aftermath of the Victorian bushfires I've felt guilty about coming here to write what I have anything to be grateful for, when so many others have lost more than I can ever imagine.

I am grateful that all my family and friends, both north and south are alive, safe from fire and floods and have their homes intact. I am also grateful that out of the death, destruction and anguish that a family rift has been healed. We've been estranged from my aunt's family for the past 16 years. The fires around the Whittlesea area were the impetus for my Mum to pick up the phone and ring her sister. Now there's a new chapter to look foward to in our family history - when chapters for other families are closing forever.

My heart and thoughts go out to not just the victims of this weekend's fires, but the survivors from Ash Wednesday in 1983 and Black Friday in 1939 - who must be reliving the horror all over again.

Tomorrow I will be going through our wardrobes for clothes and Mr D's room for toys to put with loads of other donations being shipped to Melbourne from Brisbane. I will also be donating blood next week. I am grateful that I have a chance to give something despite being so far away.

It's time again to give thanks for the week that was.

1. I am grateful that I am still awake to write this post - it seems to be a mammoth effort. But I am here.

2. I am grateful that we not only survived, but enjoyed our first camping trip away as a family.

3. I am grateful for the natural beauty that is so close to Brisbane.

4. I am grateful that I am fit enough to almost climb to the top of a crazy mini mountain. Check out the facebook photo.

5. I am grateful for having partaken in some sugary food and drink last week and discovered as a consequence that sugar now gives me a hideous headache. Now I have something else to sure up my resolve to stay away from the nasty substance.

6. I am grateful for Annie's folks for putting us up at their place for two nights.

7. I am grateful to Annie for inviting us all up to the Stanthorpe show and to revel in the excitement, via Dylan, that I once had for the carnival during summer as a child.

8. I am grateful that I am still crazy enough to consider the dodge 'em cars great fun and even more grateful that the head on collision I had didn't give me a sore neck like I feared it may have.

9. I am grateful that Dave's Mum is here allowing me some time to really get stuck into my anthology editing.

10. I am grateful for the new insight for a theme for my anthology and for the new challenges it poses to the creation of the anthology.

11. I am grateful that the weather has cooled a little and that the rain held off for my washing to get dry today - no more smokey camp fire smell infusing our clothing.

12. I am grateful that my internet is running at full speed again.

13. I am grateful to be doing the Artist Way with old friends and new ones, and to have Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach complimenting the wisdom of Julia Cameron.

14. I am grateful that I was able to devour Twilight despite having a busy weekend and spending one night without electric lighting! It will be easy to hit my February target of two books - though I might not learn much about good writing, just a little about the trascendence of a brilliant story over clumsy and immature writing!

15. I am grateful to Tallula for putting us onto the brilliant camping store - so I could get a camp fry pan, a toaster for the open fire and a few other necessities that large franchises don't bother to stock.

What are you grateful for this week past?

This week it's been the end of my creative year and the beginning (today) of a new one. It's also been ridiculously hot and humid for Brisbane, and the end of my love affair with the school holidays.

Having said that - it's the time of the week to look back and give thanks for the week that was.

1. I am grateful for airconditioning - I cannot believe that I am writing that as my number one for this week, but it's totally and utterly true. Those who know me wont believe it. I've lost my Cairns fortitude for the humidity.

2. I am grateful that I am look back and give thanks on my first year of writing .. and to also offer thanks to those who have travelled that path with me.

3. I am grateful that yesterday there was some quiet time to make card to say thank you!

4. I am grateful that I know my limitations and boundaries and that I can ask for help when needed.

5. I am grateful that I am bleeding today - one more day of PMT and the family would have relocated.

6. I am grateful that I can create a Red Tent in my head and retreat there.

7. I am grateful for good friends, good good and conversation.

8. I am grateful that it is the Year of the Ox and I feel fantastic about it!

9. I am grateful that Mr Dave and Dave spending time together is win-win-win for all of us.

10. I am grateful for discovering the pink bubbles that Annie left behind.

11. I am grateful to my beautiful friend Michelle for opening her home to us last week and allowing us to romp and play in the surf.

12. I am grateful also to my friend for Michelle for being flexible and allowing Mr D to camp out under the massage table so I could have my KaHuna body work and still allow Mr D to have the connection and sense of safety he needed.

13. I am grateful that childeren tell the truth - there are no veils, not deceptions - all you have to do is listen!

14. I am grateful that I will only have to sit through the Tale of Desperaux ONCE!

What are you grateful for this week?

It's time again to reflect back on the week that was and give gratitude and thanks.

This week it's a bit tough, as I sit here (a day late), in a less than gracious mood, being hassled by Mr D to make porridge (because they had porridge on Sesame Street) to be grateful, but I'll give it a try.

1. I am grateful for making this weekly post, because it forces me to be grateful when I'd rather be writing a list of things to be p*ssed off about!

2. I am grateful to have a new writing and editing gig at Type-A Mom in the breastfeeding section.

3. I am grateful that the Universe always knows the best place to put me - that breastfeeding is probably a far better (and safer option) for me to be in, than birth.

4. I am grateful that I might actually earn some money from writing or editing.

5. I am grateful that my partner has a sense of humour and can tease me about my friendship with Paul - calling him 'my other boyfriend' - without any element of jealousy.

6. I am grateful that my profile as a writer is increasing.

7. I am grateful that I've enjoyed most of the school holidays.

8. I am grateful that we are on the count down to the start of the kindy year (with Orientation morning this Thursday).

9. I am grateful that Mr D has been asking when kindy starts again - missing it makes m hopefuly that the transition back in will be easier than last year.

10. I am grateful for really cool, free public activities like Disco Puppy at the Ipswich Art Centre.

11. I am grateful that Mr D and I will be spending the day together doing fun stuff on Thursday.

12. I am grateful my nephew really liked the the Wedgeits that we got him for his birthday.

13. I am grateful that I am now in a better mood for having written this list!

What are you grateful for this week?

It's that time of the week again when I pause, ponder and give thanks for the week that was - and encourage you to do the same.

1. I am grateful that Pluto is out of Sagittarius and that Jupiter is moving into Aquarius - for I now feel freer and lighter, expansive and confident that I have in - well I can't remember when!

2. I am grateful for IKEA and the fact that my partner and son can assemble the flat packs without too much trouble.

3. I am grateful for Facebook hooking me out with long lost friends. I feel truly blessed.

4. I am grateful for having wonderful writing colleagues such as Annie and Paul.

5. I am grateful for having decided to compile and anthology of my short stories even though it is currently a painful process of editing and rewriting which I wish would just end. I know the end product will be worth it.

6. I am grateful to all the friends I have in Brisbane who expect nothing of me other than my friendship.

6. I am grateful that Rachael turned 40 recently - so she could have a cracking party at the Jazz Club last night.

7. I am grateful that I have given up sugar (it is now 12 days but I'm not counting) I have currently lost almost 2.5kg and it continues to drop off.

8. I am grateful that my digestive functions are getting a change to return to normal after years of abuse.

9. I am grateful that I didn't have a hangover this morning - though there was definitely a threat of it.

10. I am grateful that there seem to be enough job opportunities out there to keep my darling partner bouyed in his efforts to find a new job. I might even say one day that I am grateful to Rio Tinto for making him redundant and slashing 90% of the old Alcaneng workforce.

11. I am grateful that I have wanderlust - this means that it isn't so daunting to have a partner applying for jobs in the United Arab Emirates.

12. I am grateful to be right here, right now.

13. I am grateful that we can go to the movies and get tickest, pop corn and a frozen drink for less than $20. The Balmoral Theatre rocks!

14. I am grateful that I chose to have a down year last year and am now ready to attack this year with passionate abandon.

It's that time of the week again when it's time to pause, ponder and give thanks for the week that was.

This week was one of those lovely quiet weeks where life gets put on hold for a while and you can just hang out. It was also the week that saw one door closing and another on opening.

1. I am grateful that my neighbours are happy to co-exist happily beside me, without the need for storming my sovereign territory and exerting the idea of rulership over me.
2. I am grateful to see the end of 2008 and to embrace a new year. One that I feel offers all manner of wonderful opportunities to grow as a person, a mother, a partner and a writer.
3. I am grateful for having been able to see the dawn of a new year - and to have a pool in which to take a dip in as the sun rises on that very first morning.
4. I am grateful for having written enough stories to compile a professional anthology of short stories this month.
5. I am grateful for having the skills to be able to create above mentioned self publishing ventures and to share those skills with my fellow writers.
6. I am grateful for the fact that my connection to the creative stream has been strong.
7. I am grateful for a new year, for resolutions, action plans and the likes that provide ample fodder for blog posts and keeping goals of writing every day.
8. I am grateful to a wonderful partner who helped to clean and tidy the house over the weekend - grateful that we're almost there!
9. I am grateful that play dates have resumed and that the holidays are almost half over. And to think that I was worried that I wasn't going to cope?
10. I am grateful that we've decided to take a more active role socially and will enjoy many more wonderful bbq and social gatherings in our home and beyond.
11. I am grateful for my 4c a day funding of the ABC (Aunty) - it's the cheapest babysitting especially on New Years Day.
12. I am grateful that my partner had lots of time off over the festive season and had a chance to reconnect with Mr D.
13. I am grateful for being busy!
    

What are you grateful for this week?

You can find Give me the Grateful Life at Merlot's Mum, where the original idea comes from.

Image found at Powerful Intentions

It's that time of the week again when it's time to pause, ponder and give thanks for the week that was.

As a week that enveloped the festive celebrations of Christmas and flare ups in violence in the Gaza Strip there is a lot to be thankful for.

1. I am grateful that I live in a house, a suburb, a city, a state and a country that is safe - where I do not have to live in constant fear of bombings, military/militia attacks, gun battles, to worry for the safety of myself, my family or friends ....

2. I am grateful that Christmas was a wonderful family event that flowed on into Boxing Day and the days after.

3. I am grateful that I got to meet my niece Kira for the first time and hope to be able to forge a close bond with her over the coming years.

4. I am grateful (for once) that my mental processes for 'come back lines' is slow and I therefore avoided a potential argument/disruption to the family festivities on Christmas Day when my Grandmother baited me for the second time on Christmas Day. And then to have let it go so I could enjoy, instead of simmer, for the rest of the day.

5. I am grateful that I am able to recognise within myself that I am wrong sometimes, that I am an imperfect person at best and that I can shoulder the burden of my trajectories in life for what they are.

6. I am grateful for the fact that my family, both nuclear and extended, accepts me for what I am and who I am, even when I can't accept myself.

7. I am grateful to my Mum for shouting us three lovely nights in a rather swank holiday apartment at Coco Mooloolaba over the Christmas period.

8. I am grateful for the airconditioning engine that seized in our holiday apartment the first night that we were there which has given us the opportunity to go back there for another three nights some time in the near future. And also grateful to Peter at Coco for his efforts to ensure we were comfortable during the balmy days and nights.

9. I am grateful for the wonderful hospitality ofBrigitte and Peter at Lydon Lodge in Maleny where we stayed in the lead up to Christmas and especially for the shine they both took to Mr D. Also for the other guests who were so open and friendly to offers of rum balls and other delights on Christmas Eve and slightly loud boisterous excitement on Christmas morning.

10. I am grateful to have spent time over the Christmas break with all my family - including my now adult cousin who I haven't seen, much less spoken to, since he was a little kid no bigger than Mr D.

11. I am grateful for the calm of the mountains and the soothing essence of the sea.

12. I am grateful to be a wild and impetuous writer who has visitations from her characters at all bizarre moments of the day and night.

13. I am grateful to have a son who hugs and kisses me - who writes "I love Mum" on the fogged up shower panel.

14. I am grateful (though rather sad) that Mr D's hair is gone. No more arguments about hair washing/brushing/combing which have ensued over the past two and a half years.

In this pre-Christmas funk – caught somewhere between packing and wrapping to go away on holiday and the excitement of actually being away, I'm stopping to pause and reflect on the week that was.

Giving thanks and gratitude is one of the most soul warming things we can do in life.

1. I am grateful for the school holidays and for the chance to reconnect with Mr D. I thought it would be awful with no down time, but to date it hasn’t been. You are welcome to quote me on this around week 6 of the holiday period.

2. I am grateful for having a child and having permission to do lots of things that are considered unseemly for adults to be seen doing.

3. I am grateful for having a pool – this summer is far hotter than the last and with Mr D swimming independently now it’s the place to while away the hours.

4. I am grateful for the live violin music that is filtering in through my bedroom window from somewhere further down the street. (My partner is pointing out that earlier it was recorder and it was bloody awful .. I’ve obviously picked the right time of day to be writing in the bedroom)

5. I am grateful that tomorrow I will be on holidays.

6. I am grateful that rum balls are so easy to make and so yummy to eat.

7. I am grateful that I have a thick skin and that I was able to take the rejection of my short story in my stride and see it as a positive rather than a negative. See below for more details.

8. I am grateful for the opportunity to have critiqued one of Paul’s short stories and on the back of that to have had a wonderful conversation with him via Skype. A bit of a weird moment where the ‘podcast voice’ was actually talking back to me, rather than at me.

9. I am grateful that when I go to bed tonight all the presents will be wrapped, all the clothes will be packed and in the morning we will simply get up and leave (that’s what I am putting out to the Universe) for Maleny.

10. I am grateful to be another year older and wiser, and to still be without a grey hair (I've probably gone and done it now!)

11. I am grateful to the Universe for heeding my wishes (even if I was ignoring them) and giving me the chance to have the low key, quiet birthday that I actually wanted. But grateful also for Facebook that allowed me to receive more birthday wishes that I have had in years, from friends I definitely haven’t seen in years.

12. I am grateful for having breastfeed Mr D for three years. He had chicken pox last week and other than a few skin lesions and being a little more emotionally sensitive, didn’t miss and beat.

13. I am grateful for Mr D’s singing ability and his choice of songs. Today it’s his own composition “Rock n Roll Space Monkey” and an awesome rendition of “last Christmas’ by Wham that he picked up from me.

14. I am grateful that I am looking forward to an extended family Christmas with much excitement and anticipation, and the relief that brings.

Have a very Merry Christmas and I’ll be back around the 29th December with new tales to tell and pictures to share from a very Cleghorn Christmas on the Sunshine Coast. Until then I will try my best to have a couple of scheduled posts to tie you over.

I’ve also published my story ‘Deck the Balls’ in two parts on my other blog.

You can find Give me the Grateful Life at Merlot's Mum, where the original idea comes from.

For the past few months I have been getting Merlot Mum's blog posts via FeedBurner. I particularly look forward to her Monday post (which sadly arrives Tuesday for me because of time zone differences) What makes Monday so special. As each week kicks off Merlot Mum looks back on the week that was and reflects on the things that she's grateful for.

In our busy and challenging lives as Mums we can get so caught up in life that we forget and give thanks for what we have. In the spirit of Merlot Mum ... here is my first list of gratitudes (and hopefully not the last!)

1. I am grateful that my body is still young enough to cope with a night of Xmas frivolity - including lots of white wine, dancing and even a surreptious puff on a cigarette. I shall just forget the fact that it's taken two days to recover! I am also grateful for being reminded how much I love dancing and how wonderful the body can feel after some exercise.

2. I am grateful for the wonderful care that my son received at kindy this year that's allowed him to come into his own as a young fella - to have had his emotional and social wellbeing nurtured and encouraged. And for the fantastic folder that his kindy teacher and assistant put together, with many wonderful keeps sakes and loads of fantastic photos. I'm also grateful that he will be returning to kindy in 2009 along with three other friends from this year.

3. I'm grateful that we have a pool to escape from the heat from.

4. I'm grateful for the parking fairy who got us a park first up this morning on our trip to the shops for Santa photos.

5. I am grateful that Mr D climbed up onto Santa's knee without hestitation this year and shared a stunning smile with all. And also grateful that we didn't have to wait forever in line and that Annie paved the way with her kids and was so respectful of Dylan's need to suss out Santa (as I'd got caught up chatting to a friend from Kindy)

6. I am grateful for the fact that I don't need to invite thousands of friends and their tribes to my birthday to feel loved and appreciated. The fact that I love and appreciate myself is enough this year - all the rest will be icing on the cake.

7. I am grateful that I will be spending the Christmas period with my family and that we are all in a good space together at the moment.

8. I am grateful to my Mum for shouting us three nights in a beautiful apartment in Mooloolaba so that we can all be close together for a few evenings.

9. I am grateful for the fact that I don't give a toss how bad I look in my new black and white stripey bikinis and can just enjoy romping around the pool in them.

10. I am grateful for the fact that Rio Tinto have told my partner that he wont have a job after January so we now all know where we stand and can move on to find another job.

11. I am grateful to the Universe and Dave's considerable contacts for the fact that we wont end up in a precarious financial situation in 2009.

12. I am grateful for my beautiful friend Annie and her two fanastic kids. I don't tell them enough how important and special they are.

13. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to sit in circle with women over the weekend at a blessingway and to have been able to share in the wonders that such gatherings bring.

14. I am grateful for double brie cheese on sale ... I'd never get to enjoy it otherwise.

15. I am grateful for the breeze that is picking up - promising a cooler night than we've had recently.

16. I am grateful it is school holidays. I'll say it now because in two weeks time I may not be in such a good place with it

What are you grateful for this week?

Image found at Powerful Intentions